A California jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for negligence in a landmark case over social media addiction, awarding $3 million in damages with more penalties pending.
A California jury has found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction case, ruling that the companies were negligent in the design and operation of their platforms. The decision followed a nearly two-month trial in Los Angeles involving claims of harm caused to a young user.
The lawsuit, filed by a plaintiff identified as K.G.M., alleged that early exposure to platforms like Instagram and YouTube led to addiction and worsened mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Jurors concluded that the companies knew or should have known about the risks to minors and failed to provide adequate warnings.
The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70 percent and YouTube 30 percent, while punitive damages are still under consideration. Both companies have rejected the verdict and signaled plans to appeal, as the ruling could influence numerous similar cases against tech firms.
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